Memphis-Navy football on TV

Memphis' Sept. 8 football game at Navy will be televised on CBS Sports Network at 2:30 p.m. CST.

GT's unemployment rates

Oktibbeha County’s unemployment rate rose from 3.9 percent in March to 4 percent in April. Starkville’s unemployment rate remained at 3.3 percent, according to preliminary data from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security. Other Golden Triangle counties’ unemployment rates include: Chickasaw (4.2%), Choctaw (4.7), Clay (5.4), Lowndes (4.5), Monroe (4.3), Noxubee (5.9), Webster (5) and Winston (5.5). In April, Rankin County reported the lowest unemployment rate at 3.1 percent. Jefferson County reported the highest at 10.5 percent. The state’s unemployment rate continued to fall from 4.3 percent in March to 4.2 percent in April. (Source: Starkville Daily News 05/30/18)

Merging commissaries/exchanges

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan has signed off toward consolidating the military commissaries and exchanges into a single system. A task force will be formed by July 1 to perform financial diligence, develop a business case analysis, and begin plans for the consolidation, according to a May 29 DOD memorandum. The proposed consolidation includes the Defense Commissary Agency, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and Navy and Marine exchanges into one organization, which was recommended by DoD’s Reform Management Group. The one agency “offers the greatest potential to achieve the economies and efficiencies” necessary to ensure that commissary and exchange benefits survive, according to the memo. DoD officials want to lower the amount of taxpayer dollars used to support commissaries - about $1.3B annually - in order to shore up the commissary system sales, which have been in decline. The task force will complete its work by Oct. 31. If Shanahan okays the business case, the task force will finish integration plans by Jan. 31, 2019, and the consolidation will begin based on existing authority under law. If not, the task force will disband and the reform initiative closed. However, lawmakers have inserted a provision in the House version of the FY 2019 defense bill that requires congressional input into the decision. (Source: Military Times 05/30/18)

Segars new NASC boss

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Capt. Vincent W. Segars is the new commanding officer of Naval Aviation Schools Command (NASC). He relieved Capt. Mark A. Truluck during a change of command ceremony May 17. Segars comes to Pensacola from duty as head officer and enlisted community manager and director of military community management at the Bureau of Naval Personnel. Truluck ‘s next assignment is commanding officer of Naval Education and Training Security Assistance Field Activity (NETSAFA) in Pensacola. Rear Adm. James S. Bynum, Chief of Naval Air Training (CNATRA), was the ceremony's guest speaker, and presented Truluck with the Legion of Merit. NASC is located aboard NAS Pensacola. NASC trains more than 12,000 Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, and international aviation students per year. Students are enlisted and commissioned service members enrolled in aircrew, aviator, survival or prospective commanding officer training programs. NETSAFA is the Navy's agent for international education and training. (Source: Naval Aviation Schools Command 05/29/18)

F-22s, T38s hunker down at Tyndall

Tropical Storm Alberto has its sights on the panhandle of Florida this Memorial Day. The region is home to a multitude of military aircraft – from NAS Pensacola, Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, and Tyndall AFB. But, those bases have intricate contingency plans for readying aircraft for weather disasters. Tyndall is home to 325th Fighter Wing, which has the largest contingent of fifth-generation F-22 Raptors. This go around, 15 Raptors are taking cover in a massive hangar aboard TAFB. The fifteen are about eight percent of the Air Force’s entire F-22 fleet - valued at around $5B. Along with the F-22s are five T-38A Talon trainers belonging to the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron. (Source: The Drive 05/28/18)

AIP agrees to buy L3T components

CRESTVIEW, Fla. - L3 Crestview Aerospace, a helicopter component manufacturer that employs 500 people at Okaloosa Industrial Air Park, is set to be sold to American Industrial Partners, a New York-based investment firm, as part of a $540M cash deal, according to an L3 Technologies media release. L3T is the manufacturer’s parent company. In the pending deal, AIP will acquire two components of L3 Technologies: Vertex Aerospace and TCS. Vertex Aerospace provides aviation logistics and aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul services. TCS provides engineering services and logistics support. The sale is expected to be finalized in the summer pending regulatory approvals, according to L3T. The sale is part of an ongoing L3T restructuring effort. (Source: NW Florida Daily News 05/25/18) Vertex Aerospace also has a location in Madison, Miss.

AFA grads heading to Gulf Coast

The Air Force Academy’s Class of 2018 graduated May 23 in Colorado Springs, Colo. Some of the athletes will be heading to the Gulf Coast for assignments as first-time 2nd Lieutenants. Here’s a list of those student-athletes, their sport, and where they are headed in the weeks ahead. Football: Ryan Beveridge, Pilot Training at Columbus AFB, Miss.; Cody Bronkar, Cyber training at Keesler AFB, Miss.; Aubrey Duty-Tyson, Cyber at Keesler AFB; Grant Ross, Nuclear/Missile at Keesler AFB; Ja’Mel Sanders, Cyber at Keesler AFB; Brayden Thomas, Engineering at Eglin AFB, Fla.; Jordan Tyler, Maintenance at Hurlburt Field, Fla.; Shaq Vereen, Cyber at Keesler AFB. Women’s Basketball: Erika Chapman, Logistics at Eglin AFB. Men’s Basketball: Trevor Lyons, Cyber at Keesler AFB; CJ Siples, Cyber at Keesler AFB. Track & Field: Trent Holmes, Andrew Johnston and Andrew Milliron, and Luke Piper, Pilot Training at Columbus AFB; John Reynolds, Cyber, Keesler AFB. Baseball: Nick Biancalana, Finance at Eglin AFB; Jacob Booker, Cyber at Keesler AFB; and Tyler Zabojnik, Logistics at Keesler AFB. Women’s Soccer: Angela Karamanos, Combat Systems at NAS Pensacola, Fla. Men’s Soccer: Tristan Conrad, Personnel at Hurlburt Field; and John Wendt, Pilot Training at Columbus AFB. (Source: Colorado Gazette 05/23/18)

LM hiring in Mississippi

Lockheed Martin is looking for a Multi-Functional Manufacturing Supervisor at its Meridian, Miss., operation. The person will supervise a diverse crew of aircraft mechanics that are responsible for C-130J major sub-assembly operations. The person will be responsible for assigning personnel, area monitoring, safety, FOD/Tool Control procedures in the assigned Task Centers. Responsible for maintaining quality, cost and schedule to program expectations and implementing constant improvement measures. Responsible for the installation and tracking-to-closure, travel-work sent from LM Aero in the assigned Task Centers. Basic Quals: At least 4 years experience in an aircraft manufacturing environment (assembly, production control, quality, etc.); demonstrated leadership experience (project or team). Candidate must have strong written and verbal communication skills. Basic computer skills required. (Source: Lockheed Martin 05/18) Other jobs with LM also found within link.

Update2: T-38 crash near CAFB

COLUMBUS AFB, Miss. - An Air Force T-38C Talon II crashed at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday (May 23) in a remote area near Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. Both pilots ejected safely from the aircraft. Local law enforcement and first responders are on scene. The pilots have been transported to a local hospital for evaluation. First responders have extinguished the fire and are securing the area. There are no houses or other structures in the immediate area of the crash. (Source: CAFB 05/22/18) UPDATE: The T-38C went down in a wooded area outside the base's fenceline. Lt Col. Marc Deshaies, who commands the 14th Student Squadron at CAFB, told reporters he had no specific information on any injuries to the unnamed pilots. It is "still way too early to tell" what caused the crash, Deshaies said. The commander would not say whether the aircraft was landing, taking off, or in the midst of something else at the time of the crash. "We are extremely, extremely thankful” the pilots were able to eject safely, Deshaies said. They were taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle where they were treated and released. The instructor pilot is assigned to the 50th Flying Training Squadron. The student-pilot is assigned to the 14th Student Squadron. The base suspended flights for the remainder of Wednesday. The AF will investigate and release report findings at a later date. CAFB trains pilots in a variety of aircraft, with more advanced trainees learning with the T-38C. It is used for pilots learning to fly fighter and bomber aircraft. (Source: The AP 05/23/18) UPDATE2: CAFB holds media conference. http://www.wtva.com/content/video/483489281.html

Read more here: http://www.sunherald.com/news/local/military/article211735164.html#emlnl=Breaking_Newsletter#storylink=cpy

Stark Aerospace seeks IT Manager

Stark Aerospace of Columbus, Miss., is searching for an Information Technology Manager that would be responsible for the firm’s information systems including all business applications and telecommunications systems. The IT Manager is responsible for defining and implementing technical strategy to support all aspects of the business, driving technical process improvement across the company, and directing information systems operations effectively and efficiently. (Source: Stark Aerospace 05/18)

GTR among first to employ drones

LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. – Drones are becoming a fundamental for security and photography. The Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Miss., is no exception. GTR is one of the first airports in the country to use drones. It started with the idea of scaring birds off the runway to avoid bird-strike incidents, but has been more useful. GTR officials claim the drone also assists with perimeter patrols and facility inspections. Mississippi State University’s FAA Center for Excellence in Unmanned Aircraft Systems is working with the airport to develop new uses for the drones. (Sources: WCBI 05/21/18)

DC plan to fix military hypoxia issue

WASHINGTON — The Air Force and Navy still have no answers as to what is causing an physiological episodes (PEs) impacting pilots of tactical and training aircraft, including the T-45C trainer used at NAS Meridian, Miss., but the House Armed Services Committee is planning to order more studies and throw additional funds at the problem. In the last two years, pilots have reported a growing number of PEs in several other airplanes (F-35A, T-6 AF trainer, and the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet). Shortness of breath and disorientation symptoms are similar throughout the numerous cases, but could actually be signs of various conditions including hypoxia - when carbon dioxide levels in the blood reach abnormally low and high levels. On May 10, the HASC put forward its version of the FY 2019 defense policy bill, which includes $10M and language to help fix the PE problem, despite several years of AF and Navy investigations. There doesn’t appear to be a single smoking gun to the PE issue. The AF intends to upgrade its T-6s’ onboard oxygen-generating system with a more effective condenser beginning in October, according to Materiel Command commander, Gen. Ellen Pawlikowski. Among some of the HASC’s plans are: To add $10M to accelerate development of technologies that could identify or mitigate PEs; and require the Navy to submit a report on modifications to the T-45 and its ground equipment made since 2017. The Navy’s assessment should indicate upgrade costs and success in addressing the PE issue. The AF is to report on its efforts in F-35As and T-6s. The T-6 trainer is used at Columbus AFB, Miss. The HASC proposal currently gives the service secretaries a waiver to those requirements if it’s determined to be in the service’s best interest. It’s also possible that some PE cases are psychological as opposed to being technical. (Source: Defense News 05/21/18)

Senior computer admin job at Eglin

DCS Corp. has an opportunity for a senior Network Computer System Administrator supporting the F-35 (Joint Strike Fighter) Partner Lab at Eglin AFB, Fla. This division has the responsibility for developing, testing, and producing mission data software for F-35 partner countries. (Source: DCS Corp. 05/18/18)

EOD chief headed to Warrior Games

TYNDALL, AFB, Fla. - Air Force Wounded Warrior Master Sgt. Kenneth Guinn, a 325th Civil Engineering Squadron Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Logistics section chief, has been selected to participate in the 2018 Warrior Games in track, field, archery, power-lifting, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball. The games will be in June at the Air Force Academy in Colorado. Guinn will be in the opening ceremony of the Wounded Warrior Games alongside 39 AF team members who were selected from more than 300 applicants. “It is like going into battle again with 39 other brothers and sisters,” said Guinn. “We compete, train … (and ) do everything together … as part of a team.” The WWP reached out to Guinn after he sustained injuries to both knees while deployed in Afghanistan. He started running competitively in 2017, won every race in his classification, and set three new records. (Source: 325th Fighter Wing 05/18/18)

Gulf Coast O-3 AF’s athlete of year

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas - Maj. Ian Holt and Capt. Abby Hall were recently named 2017 Air Force Athletes of the Year. Hall, an acquisitions officer was the AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile Program Office at Eglin AFB, Fla., helped the All-Air Force women’s volleyball team win its first Armed Forces championship in five years in May 2017. She then helped the All-Armed Forces team place second in the World Military Games, the highest finish in 23 years. She normally plays outside hitter, but was asked to play middle hitter during the Armed Forces Tournament. She filled, and thrived at the position to help lead the Air Force to win five straight matches and the gold medal. Holt, a combat operations division space control branch chief for the 614th Air Operations Center at Vandenberg AFB, Calif., is a cyclist and past member of the World Class Athlete Program. (Source: AFIMSC 05/19/18)

MoH recipient addresses NASM

MERIDIAN, Miss. – Retired Marine warrant officer Hershel "Woody" Williams – the last living recipient of the Medal of Honor from the Battle of Iwo Jima in WWII – was a welcomed guest during a Gold Star Program event May 17 at Naval Air Station Meridian. Williams shared stories about his service during WWII; discussed the importance of the Gold Star Program; and praised America to nearly 500 service members. "There is no place on this Earth like we have in this country," Williams said. "But we couldn't be who we are, or have the privileges that we have, without the protection … from our military. All because of people just like you." On Feb. 21, 1945, Williams landed on the beach at Iwo Jima with the 1st Battalion, 21st Marines. Covered by only four riflemen, Williams fought for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flame throwers. On Oct. 5, 1945, he and 13 other service members were presented the MoH by President Harry S. Truman. In 2010, the not-for-profit Hershel Woody Williams Congressional Medal of Honor Education Foundation was established "to honor Gold Star families, relatives, and children who have sacrificed a loved one in the service of their country. (Source: NAS Meridian 05/18/18)

L-3 mod pact for TH-57 helos

L3 Communications Vertex Aerospace of Madison, Miss., was awarded a $42,349,412 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery requirements contract (N00019-13-D-0007) to exercise an option for the organizational and depot level logistics services required to support and maintain the TH-57 helicopter fleet. Work will be performed at the Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, Fla., and is expected to be completed in November 2018. No funds are being obligated at time of award; funds will be obligated against individual delivery orders as they are issued. Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division, Orlando, Fla., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD, 05/18/18)

186th ARW gets hurricane ready

TYNDALL AFB, Fla. - With an eye on hurricane preparedness and response capability, the Tyndall-based Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH) command participated May 11-17 in the annual Defense Support of Civil Authorities exercise, Ardent Sentry 2018 (AS-18), to grow its force of trained crisis responders. In response-capability mode, AFNORTH personnel oversaw reactions from the Meridian, Miss.-based 186th Air Refueling Wing cadre to simulate a hurricane while implementing lessons learned from the 2017 season. The 186th ARW “provided us support last year during the hurricane season,” said Chuck Stem, AFNORTH lead exercise planner, “but the unit has a number of new personnel who now have the opportunity to train alongside AFNORTH experts sent here to Meridian.” After the exercise, the Key Field Air National Guard Base in Meridian will be better prepared to augment AFNORTH and to take the lead during a hurricane response if Tyndall personnel are required to evacuate. Last fall, AFNORTH personnel worked continuously for 97 days in support of relief efforts - search and rescue, air mobility and airlift, medical, logistics - after hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria heavily impacted primarily Florida, Puerto Rico, Texas and the Virgin Islands. (Source: AFNORTH 05/08/18) The Tyndall-based command is comprised of five direct-reporting units, 10 aligned Air National Guard units, 1,400 Civil Air Patrol units, and a large number of active air-defense alert sites encompassing 15,000 Active Duty, National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Canadian Forces. The Atlantic-Gulf Coast hurricane season starts June 1.

EPA extends WIFIA deadline

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced May 15 that the deadline to submit letters of interest for Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loans has been extended to July 31, 2018. EPA sent letters to governors of 56 states, territories, and tribal leadership regarding the deadline extension that are for “critical water infrastructure improvements” for communities. The WIFIA program is a federal loan and guarantee program at EPA that aims to accelerate investment in the nation’s water infrastructure by providing long-term, low-cost supplemental loans for regionally and nationally significant projects. WIFIA can provide up to 49 percent of the financing for a project and a state SRF could provide additional financing for the remaining eligible project costs. The WIFIA program received $63M in funding in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018. (Source: EPA 05/15/18)

Stark seeks program manager

Stark Aerospace of Columbus, Miss., is looking for a Program Manager that would be responsible for interacting with design engineers and production personnel to insure success of transition to production. Plans, coordinates and monitors the scheduling, pricing, financial and technical performance of programs executed by the production department. (Source: LinkedIn 05/13/18)

Lockheed seeks super for Meridian

Lockheed Martin is looking for a Multi-Functioning Manufacturing Supervisor to lead a diverse crew of aircraft mechanics responsible for C-130J major sub-assembly operations in Meridian, Miss. The supervisor will be responsible for assigning personnel, area monitoring, safety, FOD/Tool Control procedures in the assigned Task Centers. Responsible for maintaining quality, cost and schedule to program expectations and implementing constant improvement measures. Responsible for the installation and tracking-to-closure, travel-work sent from LM Aero in the assigned Task Centers. Job requires at least four years experience in an aircraft manufacturing environment. (Source: Lockheed Martin 05/2018)

Canadian team to fly with Blues

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds flight demonstration team is set to make a rare appearance this week over Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Fla. - home to the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. The appearances will coincide to showcase both acrobatic routines in one week at the same location. The Blue Angels routinely practice on NASP weekdays between its air show schedule. This week the schedule has been modified to accommodate both teams so thousands of spectators can attend. (The AvGeek blog 05/13/18)

Modly up-close with Navy training

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Under Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly received an up-close look May 10 at training offered by the Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) and activities aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. Modly has initiated a clean-sheet review of the approach to education across the Navy and Marine Corps. He is working to instill a learning culture with his "Education for Seapower" initiative. He was shown NETC’s update on the latest force development approaches that take recruits from the street to the fleet by transforming them into combat-ready war-fighters at 236 learning sites around the globe. Afterwards, he stopped at the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) to see a demonstration of the Multipurpose Reconfigurable Training System 3D simulator that provides initial accession aviation maintenance for personnel. Stop No. 3 was at the Center for Information Warfare Training, where leaders discussed approaches to keeping up with technology advances in dynamically evolving warfare areas. He also toured the Information Warfare Training Command’s Joint Cyber Analysis Course, which trains multi-service cryptology personnel to perform technical network analysis in cyberspace operations. At the end of the day, Modly visited the Naval School of Aviation Safety that educates aviation officers on conducting aggressive mishap prevention programs. (Source: Naval Education and Training Command 05/11/18)

Unique winging class at NASM

MERIDIAN, Miss. - The ceremonial "Wings of Gold" ceremony marks the transition from trainee to aviator. For some, the journey is memorable; for others historic. Anneliese Marie Satz was introduced as Naval Air Station Meridian's first female Marine since 2015. "We do have more females than ever in the Marine Corps aviation,” said the Marine first lieutenant. “I am surprised that there weren't more females.” Becoming a pilot almost never happened. She initially entered the Marines with a ground contract, but picked up flight at Basic School. This unique group of WoG recipients included five French aviators. NASM is a home training base for would-be pilots from overseas, but the numbers were uncommon. "I was well prepared,” said French Lt. j.g. Vincent Biellmann. The U.S. and (his second home) Meridian was a culture shock, he said, but well worth it. NASM is home to Training Air Wing One and two training squadrons – VT-7 and 9. (Source: WTOK 05/04/18)

DoD seeks rules for drilling in GoM

An expansion of oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (GoM) would interfere with military testing unless the Defense and Interior departments develop rules to govern the work, a Pentagon report released May 9 concluded. The Defense Department’s report, was sent May 9 to lawmakers, indicated that drilling east of the Military Mission Line in the Gulf of Mexico, a demarcation more than 200 miles west of Florida, would harm military testing operations without the rules. The report indicated: “Military flexibility in the region would be lost and test and training activities would be severely affected” without mutually agreed restrictions on drilling between the two departments. Industry groups interpreted the report with optimism, according to Reuters. In January, Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the administration would not allow drilling off Florida. DoD and Interior have been holding meetings on drilling in the region that is likely to continue for months. In a March auction for acreage in the Gulf of Mexico several companies’ bids were made in the formation closest to the Military Mission Line - known as DeSoto Canyon. BP Plc bid on the most contiguous leases staking its claim on about 171 square miles in DeSoto Canyon, some 100 miles south of the Louisiana coast. (Source: Reuters 05/10/18) NAS Pensacola, and Eglin and Tyndall (Fla.) AFBs; NAS/JRB New Orleans; and NAS Meridian, Miss., use the testing and flight range in the eastern GoM on a year-round basis.

Seaman-to-Admiral apps sought

GREAT LAKES, Ill. - The Navy’s Seaman-To-Admiral (STA-21) commissioning program, which provides opportunity for qualified sailors to receive college educations and commissions, is soliciting applications for FY 2019, according to NAVADMIN 113/18. “STA-21 is a full-time, undergraduate education and commissioning program open to enlisted personnel of all pay grades and ratings to receive a college education and become commissioned officers, says Cathy Kempf, head of Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program and STA-21 selection at Naval Service Training Command's Officer Development directorate in Pensacola, Fla. STA-21 pays up to $10,000 annually for college costs. Selectees continue to draw full pay and allowances for their current pay grade. Under the STA-21, sailors have up to 36 months to complete degree requirements. Selectees attend an eight-week Naval Science Institute (NSI) course at Officer Training Command Newport, R.I., prior to beginning studies at an NROTC-affiliated university. Application packages must be postmarked on or before July 1. Selectees will be announced in the fall. Questions about the program should be directed to command career counselors or the STA-21 website: https://www.sta-21.navy.mil. (Source: Naval Service Training Command 05/08/18)

MNG to deploy for border security

About 25 members of a Tupelo-based Mississippi National Guard (MNG) unit will deploy May 11, for a fourth time, to the U.S.-Mexico border to provide border security through aerial surveillance support to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol, the MNG announced May 8. The guardsmen are part of the 151st Aviation Regiment, which flies UH-72 Lakota helicopters, and will deploy up to three weeks. The deployment comes a month after President Trump announced intentions to patrol the border with guardsmen. A send-off ceremony is tentatively scheduled for May 11 from Tupelo’s Army Aviation Support Facility. (Source: The AP 05/08/18)

Navy to consolidate aviation contracts

The Navy is moving ahead with plans to consolidate up to 15 aircraft maintenance and logistics services contracts, over a seven-year period, which could be worth as much as $12.6B. The Contracted Maintenance, Modification, Aircrew, and Related Services (CMMARS) would provide depot maintenance, support services for operations, and modification of aircraft subsystems, weapons, and aircraft components. Potential contractors have until May 9 to submit questions in response to the Navy’s updated draft Request For Proposal (RFP) released April 26. The Navy is planning a pre-solicitation conference May 15-17 in Maryland. The Navy has not indicated when it was going to release a final RFP, although Bloomberg Government expects it to be by July. Awards are planned for March 2019. The would-be consolidated contracts include aircraft maintenance work that has generated $3.1B in orders since FY 2011, according to Bloomberg Government. The top contractors on the previous contracts included L3 Technologies Inc., which has generated $1.2B through work on four contracts; DynCorp International, which has generated $945M on three contracts; and General Dynamics, which has generated $443M on one contract. Nearly 75 percent of obligations have been performed in three states: Mississippi ($1.8B); Maryland ($568M); and Georgia ($434M). The remaining $1.1B has been performed in 14 other states, including Northwest Florida. (Source: Bloomberg Government 05/0/18) Gulf Coast Note: L3 Technologies of Madison, Miss., has held aircraft maintenance contracts at NAS Meridian, Miss., and NAS Pensacola and Whiting Field, Fla.

AHI celebrates UH-72A record

Production workers at Airbus Helicopters Inc.’s Columbus, Miss., plant celebrated its record as a supplier of UH-72A Lakota helicopters for the Army. In the past month, the Army awarded a contract to AHI for 51 more helicopters to be produced through 2020. AHI has delivered 423 Lakota aircraft under previous Army contracts and modifications, including helicopters that are in use with the U.S. Navy and Royal Thai Army. The Lakota fleet recently surpassed 500,000 flight hours in a variety of missions across the globe. The Army utilizes the Lakota for a variety of missions including homeland security, drug interdiction, general support, logistics, humanitarian aid, medical evacuations and eventually as aviation training primarily at Fort Rucker, Ala. (Source: Mississippi Business Journal 05/07/18)

Fla., Miss. Navy base restorations

AGVIQ LLC of Anchorage, Alaska (N62470-18-D-7012); CAPE-ER JV LLC of Norcross, Ga. (N62470-18-D-7013); EA-Amec Foster Wheeler-1 JV of Hunt Valley, Md. (N62470-18-D-7014); and Sevenson Environmental Services Inc. of Niagara Falls, N.Y. (N62470-18-D-7015) are each being awarded an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, cost-plus-award-fee multiple award contract for environmental remediation services for projects at various locations within the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Atlantic. The estimated dollar value, including the base period and four option years, for all four contracts is a combined $240M. State locations for the work include, among others, Florida (20%) and Mississippi (10%). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months, and expected to be completed in May 2023. FY 2018 Navy environmental restoration contract funds in the amount of $40,000 are obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Future task orders will be primarily by Navy environmental restoration funds. No task orders are being issued at this time. These four contractors may compete for task orders under the terms and conditions of the awarded contract. Naval Facilities Engineering Command Atlantic of Norfolk, Va., is the contracting activity. (Source: DoD 05/07/18)

EPA public sessions for Grenada

ATLANTA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host two public availability sessions May 15 in Grenada, Miss., from noon to 3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. at the Grenada City Auditorium to accommodate area residents to come learn about upcoming sampling activities in the Eastern Heights neighborhood. Afterwards, from May 16-18, EPA will test outdoor air in the neighborhood for trichloroethene (TCE). The data will inform future sampling planned for July 2018 of indoor air and air under the foundations of homes located over the TCE-contaminated groundwater plume. EPA is also working with potentially responsible parties to conduct additional sampling needed at the 40-acre facility on 635 Highway 332 (now operated by Ice Industries); and off-property disposal areas to inform the Remedial Investigation. (Source: EPA 05/07/18)

BRAC with community veto?

NORFOLK, Va. - U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Va.), chairman of the House Armed Service’s Seapower and Force Projection subcommittee, told members of a Virginia Navy League that Congress may consider another round of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) actions, but under restrictive rules that give veto power to military communities. The last BRAC was in 2005. The plan, according to Wittman’s remarks at a NL luncheon, would be limited to "tangential facilities" identified by the Pentagon; and could be added as an amendment to the Defense Department’s FY 2019 spending bill. DoD would have to indicate those facilities were excess inventory and unneeded; and communities would have to agree, he said. (Virginian-Pilot 05/04/18)

T-1As to get lifespan extension

The first T-1A Jayhawk was delivered to Reese Air Force Base, Texas, in 1992. More than 26 years later, the AF is determined that the trainer’s lifespan will extend into the 2030s. They made that decision when Field Aerospace, and multiple subcontractors, was awarded a $155.7M modernization contract for upgrading the avionics on its entire fleet of 178 Jayhawks, 16 flight trainers, and 14 part-task trainers. Starting in 2018, the focal point of the upgrades is Rockwell Collins' Pro Line 21 integrated avionics system. Field Aerospace’s installation work will be done at its Oklahoma City, Okla., facility and is expected to be completed by 2025. The AF has ensured the T-1A will still be in service to train pilots. The modularity of the Pro Line 21 system means that further upgrades could push that date further down the road. (Source: Avionics 04/24/18) Gulf Coast Note: The T-1A Jayhawks are used as a trainer at multiple AF sites along the Gulf Coast, including the 451st Flying Training Squadron at NAS Pensacola, Fla.; and the 14th Flying Training Wing, and 43rd AF reserve squadron, at Columbus AFB, Miss. More than 700 pilots train with the T-1A annually.

Keesler med’s ‘bragging rights’

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – Members of the Air Forces Northern Surgeon General’s office wrapped up their evaluation of an Expeditionary Medical Support confirmation field exercise April 20. The exercise began April 16 with 100 members of the 81st Medical Group based out of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss. They arrived at Camp Atterbury to find an open space and 28 pallets of medical supplies. From there, they were responsible for building and sustaining an EMEDS facility to support an exercise-injected deadly tornado scenario for which they were the only viable medical options. Once completed, the 12-tent facility included emergency and operating rooms, dental service, medical control center, ward and a quarantine area. “This team from the 81st Medical Group has earned some serious bragging rights,” said Capt. Lee Laughridge, chief of Air Force Northern’s medical operations and training division. “It’s really impressive how they (1st MDG) stop and switch gears almost instantly to respond to the exercise injects we’re presenting to them,” he concluded. (Source: Air Force North 05/01/18) Air Forces Northern has its HQ at Tyndall AFB in Panama City, Fla. First Air Force (Air Forces Northern) is one of three numbered air forces assigned to HQ of the Air Combat Command.

Laser-pointing dangers to all pilots

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla., has seen an uptick in incidents involving laser pointers being aimed at its aircraft, and has issued a warning to the public of the danger to pilots and legal ramifications. "Pointing lasers at aircraft cannot only temporarily blind pilots, but cause permanent damage as well,” according to an NASP media release. “The canopy Plexiglas magnifies the intensity of the laser, which can compromise the vision of pilots and even require medical treatments," the Navy said. Additionally, pointing a laser at an aircraft can bring a fine of up to $250,000 and five years in prison. (Source: Pensacola News Journal 05/03/18) Air Force and Navy pilots also fly throughout the region from NAS Meridian and Columbus AFB in Mississippi; and NAS/JRB New Orleans; Eglin and Tyndall AFBs in Florida.

EMCC honors AFS with top award

STARKVILLE, Miss. - East Mississippi Community College held its 29th industry-partner recognition luncheon May 3 on its Mayhew, Miss., campus. The event included awards given to local businesses for service to EMCC and the community. The highest honor, the Director’s Award, went to unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufacturer Aurora Flight Sciences (AFS). Aurora operates a plant on the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, and was recently purchased by Boeing aerospace. (Source: Starkville Daily News 05/03/18)

Ex-Fla. rep considered for VA head

WASHINGTON - Former Florida Republican Congressman Jeff Miller of Chumuckla, Fla., who chaired the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs before retiring in 2017, is considered one of the candidates to become President Trump's next nominee for VA secretary, several sources told The Washington Post. Miller, a current lobbyist, met May 2 with officials in the White House vetting office, and expects to meet with the president soon. A senior White House official said the president wasn’t expected to make his nomination until at least next week. Miller declined to comment to The Post for its story. Other candidates under consideration include Rep. Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.) and Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.), current VA committee chairman. Veterans groups have floated the name of acting VA director Robert Wilkie. (Source: Washington Post 05/02/18) Miller is a paid lobbyist advising clients for the Washington, D.C.-based McDermott, Will & Emery law firm primarily in the areas of health care, defense, and intelligence industries. Miller’s specialties, according to the firm’s website, are legislative strategy, government contracting, and congressional investigations.

L3T to sell off aero biz & Crestview

NEW YORK - L3 Technologies announced May 1 it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Vertex Aerospace business to American Industrial Partners for $540M in cash. Part of the deal include L3 selling its Crestview (Fla.) Aerospace and TCS business units, which are in its Aerospace Systems business segment. The transaction is expected to be finalized this summer - subject to closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Vertex Aerospace provides aviation logistics services, supply chain management, and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services. Crestview Aerospace provides select rotary aircraft component fabrication and assembly, and TCS provides select engineering services and logistics support. For the year ended December 31, 2017, Crestview Aerospace and TCS generated $115M of net sales. (Source: L3 Technologies 05/01/18) L3 Technologies has operations, beyond Crestview, along the Gulf Coast, including at Madison, Miss.; and an Army Fleet Support facility at Fort Rucker, Ala.

NHP earns ASGE excellence award

PENSACOLA, Fla. - Naval Hospital Pensacola earned April 30 the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy's (ASGE) Award of Excellence through the ASGE Endoscopy Unit Recognition Program. The certification is awarded to endoscopy units and medical facilities that demonstrate a commitment to specialized training and adherence to ASGE guidelines on privileging, quality assurance and infection control guidelines. NHP is the only naval medical facility to receive the three-year certification, and joins the Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg, N.C., as the second military treatment facility to earn the certification. (Source: NHP 04/30/18) NHP is the parent command of Naval Branch Health Clinic NAS Meridian, Miss., Naval Construction Battalion Gulfport, Miss., NAS/JRB New Orleans, and other clinics in Florida and West Tennessee.